Sasakawa Peace Foundation USA is a 501c3 non-profit located in Washington, DC involved in U.S.-Japan relations, providing conferences and seminars, think tank analysis, people-to-people exchanges and coordination of high-level dialogue between the two countries through our in-house and collaborative programs. Sasakawa USA is independent from but works closely with our sister foundation in Tokyo, Sasakawa Peace Foundation.

Sasakawa USA seeks an enthusiastic entry-level Executive and Program Assistant to provide administrative support to the Chairman and CEO and other staff. While about half of the Assistant’s time will be spent on executive scheduling, he/she will also aid the quickly growing programs team in all programmatic functions, including proposal development, event planning, execution and follow-up, and internal and external coordination and communications. The Executive and Program Assistant will also be in charge of office reception, and will work closely with the Administrative office for general office maintenance and streamlining of administrative and accounting-related tasks involving the Program staff.

Requirements:

• Bachelor’s degree in relevant field (Japanese Studies, International Relations, History, Political Science, or area studies relevant to Japan and Asia)
• Strong written and oral communications skills (English language)
• Knowledge of and demonstrated interest in U.S-Japan relations
• Attention to detail and ability to multi-task
• Strong organizational skills
• Proactive efforts to identify and address new administrative issues
• Flexibility and excellent interpersonal skills
• Project coordination experience
• Demonstrated ability to work in a team
• Strong computer and Internet research skills
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office
• Authorization to work in the US (non-US citizens must possess work authorization that does not require employer sponsorship for a visa)

Preferred Skills:

• Proficiency in written and oral Japanese
• Administrative support experience
• Experience in non-profit programs and event planning

Responsibilities:

• Manage schedules, including meeting and event arrangements as needed for the Chairman and CEO and making travel arrangements as needed
• Sit at reception desk; screen calls, greet office guests and coordinate arrangements such as early or after hour guest entry
• Provide administrative and programmatic support to the Programs team for its research and education programs
• Assist in developing project proposals, formulating budgets and tracking expenditure of funds
• Research information as requested by staff on potential project partners, current developments in U.S.-Japan relations and Sasakawa USA research areas
• Help organize conferences, roundtables and other events on U.S-Japan relations in and outside of Washington, D.C.
• Help organize visits to Japan by American scholars and practitioners or visits to the United States by Japanese scholars and practitioners.
• Assist administrative office in office upkeep such as ordering supplies and scheduling maintenance on equipment
• Assist administrative office to make and keep track of staff reimbursements and project-related payments

How to apply: